One welfare: bibliometric review of world literature

Abstract

The One Welfare framework emphasizes the interconnection between animal, human, and environmental well-being, extending One Health principles to address broader welfare dimensions. Despite its relevance, One Welfare remains underexplored. This study investigates global research trends and thematic priorities in One Welfare literature published from 2013 to 2024. A bibliometric review was conducted using PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, Scopus, and CABI databases. A literature search was conducted using keywords translated into five of the world’s most widely spoken languages: Hindi, Chinese, Spanish, English, and French. A total of 111 publications were identified and categorized into four main domains—Policy, Governance, Economy (PGE); Applied Human-Animal Sciences (AHAS); Societal, Economic, Environmental Dimensions (SEED); and Human-Animal Bond and Mental Health (HAB-MH)—and eight subcategories: Legal Framework and Economy (LFE); Education and Philosophy (EP); Sustainable Resource Management (SRM); Traditional Knowledge and Societal Impact (TKSI); Animal Management (AM); Human-Animal Diseases (HAD); Human-Animal Interaction (HAI); and Psychology (PSY). The analysis also considered animal types—companion animals (CA), production animals (PA), wild animals (WA), working/sport animals (WS), and general (GE)—and divided data into two time periods (2013–2018, 2019–2024). Most publications (78) emerged after 2018, with Animal Management (AM) subcategory as the dominant theme, particularly in relation to PA reflecting their significance in food security. Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) was the second most represented theme among the subcategories, particularly in relation to CA underlining their significance in human lives. Conversely, wild animals (WA), climate change, and working/sport animals (WS) remain underrepresented. Education and Philosophy was the least addressed subcategory, exposing a critical gap in integrating One Welfare into veterinary and animal science education. Given the limited number of publications identified over the past 11 years, there is a clear need to promote increased interdisciplinary research, policy development, and educational reform to fully implement the One Welfare framework and align it with global sustainability goals.

1. Introduction

Although there is no universally accepted definition of One Health, the concept broadly emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health (1, 2). While the recognition of a connection—whether continuous or episodic—between human and animal health (and, at times, environmental health) has appeared throughout history, it has gained renewed prominence in recent years (2, 3). Over the past few decades, global challenges such as emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, water scarcity, environmental pollution, food safety and insecurity, and the accelerating pace of environmental change have underlined the intricate linkages among ecosystems, animals, and human health. These developments have reinforced the relevance of the One Health framework (3). Parallel to this, the One Welfare framework has emerged, extending beyond the health-centric focus of One Health to encompass welfare. One Welfare highlights the relationship between animal welfare, human well-being, and the physical and social environment (1, 4). It is intended to foster interdisciplinary collaboration on welfare-related issues by recognizing their shared foundations and interconnected outcomes (4).

The first publication that discussed the concept of One Welfare was a commentary entitled “One welfare: a call to develop a broader framework of thought and action” by Colonius and Earley (5), where the authors stated that the separation between human, environmental, and animal welfare to be an artificial compartmentalization, as all these disciplines relied on the same set of scientific measures and strongly depended on each other in an ecological context. Substantial work has been undertaken over the past decade to articulate a coherent global definition and conceptual framework for One Welfare. Pioneering efforts by García-Pinillos (6) laid the groundwork for a structured understanding of One Welfare as an integrative paradigm, explicitly bridging the domains of animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental integrity. These early frameworks were instrumental in shifting the conversation from a predominantly sectorial approach to one that recognizes the multi-directional relationships among welfare dimensions. Further elaboration by Garcia-Pinillos (4) emphasized not only the theoretical underpinnings but also the practical mechanisms for implementation—particularly through inter-professional collaboration, policy inclusion, and systems thinking. The framework identifies several priority areas where a One Welfare approach can produce meaningful cross-sectoral benefits (4). These include the prevention of both animal and human abuse, improved social cohesion through shared concern for animal welfare, and the role of animal welfare in poverty alleviation and community resilience, particularly in low-income rural settings. Additionally, enhancements in animal welfare have been shown to intersect positively with food safety, farming productivity, farmer mental health, and broader issues of food security and sustainability (4). This systems-based perspective acknowledges that improvements in one domain often catalyze gains in others, reinforcing the interconnectedness that lies at the heart of the One Welfare model (6). Over time, the academic landscape has reflected growing interest in these interdisciplinary linkages. There is a clear upward trend in studies that integrate human psychosocial metrics, environmental variables, and animal welfare indicators within the same research design (7–9). For instance, King et al. (10) exemplified this integrative approach through their investigation of dairy farm systems, where they assessed cow welfare, milk production, and product quality alongside farmer well-being, using validated psychometric tools to measure stress, resilience, anxiety, and depression. A similar trend is observed in publications examining the relationship between animal welfare and potential human and/or environmental benefits. For instance, in their comprehensive review of the scientific literature on cat temperament, de Castro Travnik et al. (11) delve into the broader implications of feline temperament for human–animal matching, the quality of the human–animal bond, and the welfare of both the cat and the caregiver. Such discussions reflect growing awareness of the multifaceted impacts of animal welfare beyond the animal itself. However, with a few notable exceptions (e.g., 12), even recent studies proposing animal welfare assessment protocols frequently neglect to incorporate explicit measures of human well-being or environmental sustainability—such as biodiversity conservation—within the structure of the protocols themselves.

This study aims to present the first bibliometric review of publications that deeply engage with the One Welfare concept from February 2013—marking the publication of the foundational commentary by Colonius and Earley—through December 2024. Specifically, the study attempts to fill the lack of quantitative analysis on how the field of One Welfare has evolved over time, identifying underexplored areas and emerging themes, and evaluates the extent to which the core dimensions of One Welfare such as the integration of human, animal, and environmental welfare, are embedded within the existing body of work.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Literature search

The aim of the current study was to quantitatively analyze publication trends and thematic developments within the One Welfare literature across time periods. Therefore, a bibliometric review was the most suitable approach for this purpose, as it allows for mapping research trends and identifying knowledge gaps that might not be as easily detected through narrative, scoping, or systematic reviews. The earliest publication identified that explicitly discusses the concept of One Welfare is the 2013 commentary by Colonius and Earley. Therefore, the literature search started from the year 2013 till December 2024. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, Scopus, and CABI, as well as the One Welfare website,¹ which contained several papers discussing One Welfare topics. The search strategy employed a wide range of key terms used as topics or subject headings, which were translated into the world’s most widely spoken languages—Hindi, Chinese, Spanish, English, and French—by the authors of this paper, with assistance from native Chinese and Hindi speakers (for the full list of search terms, refer to Supplementary Table S1). The inclusion criteria for literature selection were as follows: full peer-reviewed text articles published in journals; dissertations; books or book chapters; conference proceedings; and articles from websites (that discussed in detailed the One welfare concept). Publications were considered without geographical restrictions that addressed the interconnected aspects of animal, environmental, and human welfare within the One Welfare framework. From an initial pool of 212 publications, only those that explicitly engaged with the One Welfare concept—rather than merely mentioning it incidentally, such as only in the keywords or in a single sentence within or at the end of the paper (e.g., “the current study could be included in the One Welfare framework”)—were retained. The initial literature search was performed by author SP using the platforms described above to generate a preliminary list of potentially relevant publications. This list was then shared with author SN. Both authors (SP and SN) independently and blindly screened the records according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine their eligibility. Following the independent screening, the authors compared their selections and resolved any discrepancies through discussion, reaching consensus on the final set of publications included in the study. A total of 111 publications met the final selection criteria by providing substantive discussion on One Welfare across various disciplines (Supplementary Table S2).

2.2. Data extraction and analysis

Each publication was classified into three broad categories based on publication type: BOOK - full, and chapter; FULL TEXT - journal, dissertation, and website; and CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. This classification was determined solely by publication type, and did not consider whether the content was scientific or intended for a lay audience. Additionally, publications were categorized into four primary categories based on four main topics of policies, veterinary sciences, resource management, and human animal bond:

1. Policy, Governance, Economy (PGE). This category includes studies that analyze the role of governance, public policy, and legal structures in shaping One Welfare initiatives, as well as the economic implications of implementing One Welfare approaches. Additionally, it incorporates educational and philosophical perspectives on One Welfare, including public awareness and ethics.

2. Applied Human Animal Sciences (AHAS). This category includes scientific and technical research that applies One Welfare principles within veterinary science, epidemiology, and animal management, with an emphasis on animal welfare, and disease control.

3. Societal, Economic, and Environmental Dimensions (SEED). This category explores the intersection of One Welfare with social structures, and environmental sustainability. It highlights how traditional knowledge, community engagement, and resource management contribute to One Welfare outcomes.

4. Human Animal Bond and Mental health (HAB-MH). This category examines how relationships with animals impact mental health, therapy, and community well-being within the One Welfare framework.

Each of the four primary categories was further divided into two subcategories based on specific subtopics (Table 1). The inclusion of items within each primary category and subcategory was based on a thorough analysis of the content discussed in each publication. Because the content of each item was not confined to a single subject, the primary categories and subcategories were not considered mutually exclusive within each publication (item). Therefore, each item could include more than one primary category and subcategory. In addition, each publication was further characterized by: (1) animal type—wild animals (WA), companion animals (CA), working/sport animals (WS), production animals (PA), or general (GE, denoting non-species-specific or multi-species discussions); (2) number of papers each year; (3) world distribution of publications depending on the first author affiliation; (4) temporal context: First Time Period (FTP) (Yrs 2013–2018), and Second Time Period (STP) (Yrs 2019–2024); (5) language used in the publication (search within the five main spoken languages: Hindi, Chinese, Spanish, English, French, and Arabic); (6) inclusion of the term One Welfare in the main title; and (7) number of time each item was cited. This multidimensional classification enabled quantitative analysis of thematic, and methodological trends across the One Welfare literature.

Table 1.

List of the primary categories and description of the subcategories used for the literature classification.

N.	Primary Category	Subcategory	Subcategory description
1	Policy, Governance, Economy (PGE)	LFE -Legal Frameworks and Economy	This subcategory includes research on the development and implementation of One Welfare policies, legal frameworks, economic models, and international treaties that shape welfare-oriented governance.
		EP - Education, Philosophy	This subcategory includes research on public awareness, educational programs, and ethical views within the One Welfare framework.
2	Societal, Economic, and Environmental Dimensions (SEED)	SRM - Sustainable Resource Management	This subcategory includes studies on integrating One Welfare into environmental conservation, climate action, and sustainable land use.
		TKSI - Traditional Knowledge and Societal Impacts	This subcategory includes studies on how cultural heritage wisdom in sustainable resources usage align with One Welfare principles, and it also examines the social implications of One Welfare, including food security, and rural development.
3	Applied Human Animal Sciences (AHAS)	AM - Animal Management	This subcategory focuses on research related to the care, welfare, and management of animals across various sectors, including livestock farming, wildlife conservation, laboratory animal care, and companion animal welfare. It includes studies on breeding practices, housing conditions, and nutrition that influence animal well-being.
		HAD - Human Animal Diseases	This subcategory explores the interactions between human and animal health, emphasizing zoonotic disease prevention, epidemiology, and One Health applications. It includes research on disease surveillance, biosecurity measures, antimicrobial resistance, and the role of wildlife in emerging infectious diseases
4	Human Animal Bond and Mental health (HAB-MH)	HAI - Human Animal Interaction	This subcategory examines the various ways humans and animals interact, and the broader social, emotional, and behavioral effects of these relationships. It includes research on animal-assisted interventions, working animals, pet ownership, and community-based programs that leverage human-animal connections to enhance well-being.
		PSY - Psychology	This subcategory focuses on the psychological effects of human-animal relationships, including their role in mental health, emotional resilience, and overall well-being. It includes studies on how interactions with animals reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as animal-human abuse.

2.3. Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.4.1 (13). Chi-square goodness of fit tests were conducted to test if the number of publications differed from an equal distribution among the different categories, subcategories, studied species, and country of affiliation of the first author. Chi-square tests of independence were also used to test statistical relationships between the species, category, subcategory, and time periods. Where overall significant associations were found (p < 0.05), Pearson’s standardized residuals was used to identify specific cell-level deviations that contributed most to the Chi-square significance. In addition, a logistic regression using the ‘glm’ function from the ‘stats’ package was fitted using a ‘quasipoisson’ family to investigate the link between citation and number species, country, and subcategory. Due to a high degree of correlation between the primary category and subcategory, it was not possible to assess the association between citation count and primary category. A wald chi-square test was used to extract p values from the model and pairwise comparisons were conducted using appropriate data subsetting and a Bonferroni correction.

3. Results

A total of 111 publications were selected from the literature review and classified based on primary categories and subcategories. Among the selected literature, the number of items has shown a steady increase over the 11-year period considered, starting from the first publication on One Welfare in 2013 till 2024 (Table 2). In addition, the global distribution of publications based on the first authors’ country of affiliation was significantly different (χ2 = 527.14, df = 21, p < 0.001), with the highest number of items originated from the UK, followed by the USA and Australia (Table 3). Most of the items (97) were written in English as main language, with 10 items in Spanish, 2 items in French, and 2 items in dual-language such as English-Arabic and English-French. Among the 111 items, 66 reported the word One Welfare in the main title.

Table 2.

Total number of publications for each year.

Year	Publications
2013	1
2014	1
2015	2
2016	1
2017	4
2018	9
2019	13
2020	13
2021	17
2022	20
2023	18
2024	12

Table 3.

Worldwide distribution of publications by country based on the first authors’ affiliations.

Country	Publications
Argentina	1
Australia	15
Belgium	3
Brazil	3
Canada	8
Chile	2
China	1
Colombia	6
Denmark	1
France	7
Germany	1
Italy	7
Mexico	3
Netherlands	1
Norway	1
New Zealand	2
Romania	1
South Africa	1
Spain	1
Sweden	3
UK	28
USA	16

Overall, the total number of publications was significantly different depending on the category (χ2 = 46.63, df = 3, p < 0.001), subcategory (χ2 = 138.19, df = 7, p < 0.001), and animal types (χ2 = 82.78, df = 4, p < 0.001). Among the primary categories, AHAS showed the highest number of related publications followed by the HAB-MH, PGE, and SEED categories. Among the subcategories, AM (Animal Management) accounted for the highest number of related publications, followed by HAI (Human-Animal Interactions) and LFE (Legal Framework and Economy), while the remaining subcategories demonstrated comparatively lower publication outputs. Among the animal types, general (GE) was present in most of the items, followed by companion animals (CA), production animals (PA), working/sport animals (WS), with wild animals (WA) showing the lowest number of related publications (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Total number of publications across categories, and subcategories, and animal type. Counts reflect non-mutually exclusive classifications, as individual publications may be assigned to multiple primary categories and subcategories. Therefore, summed counts for both primary categories and subcategories exceed the total number of publications (n = 111). Primary categories are not mutually exclusive within publications; thus, their total count does not reflect the total publication count. Similarly, subcategories do not reflect the total publication count nor the total number of primary categories, as a single publication may include multiple subcategories within the same primary category. The total count of animal types also does not correspond to the total number of publications, but rather relates to the total number of subcategories. Animal Types - PA: Production Animals; WA: Wild Animals; WS: Working and Sport Animals; CA: Companion Animals; GE: General. Primary Categories - PGE: Policy-Governance-economic; AHAS: Animal Health-Applied sciences; SEED: Societal-Economic-Environmental Dimensions; HAB-MH: Human Animal Bond & Mental health. Subcategories - LFE: Legal Framework & Economy; EP: Education-Philosophy; AM: Animal Management; HAD: Human Animal Diseases; TKSI: Traditional Knowledge-Societal Impacts; SRM: Sustainable Resource Management; HAI: Human Animal Interaction; Psy: Psychology.

Thematic shifts between the two time periods considered (Yrs 2013–2018; Yrs 2019–2024) were recorded within the target animal type, primary categories, and subcategories, with publication showing a significant higher number during Second Time Period (STP) than in First Time Period (FTP) (χ2 = 112.9, df = 1, p < 0.001), with one notable exception of the Education and Philosophy (EP) subcategory, which did not show changes across the two periods (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Total number of publications across categories, and subcategories, and animal type during the two time periods considered (Yrs 2013–2018 and Yrs 2019–2024). Counts reflect non-mutually exclusive classifications since individual publications may be assigned to multiple primary categories and subcategories. In addition, animal type might be included in more than one item. Thus, summed counts for both primary categories, subcategories, and animal type might exceed the total publication count (111). Animal Types - CA: companion animals; GE: general; PA: production animals; WA: wild animals; WS: working/sport animals. Primary Categories - AHAS: Applied Human Animal Sciences; PGE: Policy, Governance, Economy; SEED: Socio-Economic-Environmental Dimensions; HAB-MH: Human Animal Bond & Mental Health. Subcategories - LFE: Legal Framework & Economy; EP: Education & Philosophy; AM: Animal Management; HAD: Human Animal Diseases; TKSI: Traditional Knowledge and Societal Impacts; SRM: Sustainable Resource Management; HAI: Human Animal Interaction; PSY: Psychology.

Furthermore, the category (χ2 = 32.05, df = 12, p = 0.001) and subcategory (χ2 = 59.72, df = 28, p < 0.001) were significantly linked with the target animal types, with more companion animal (CA) publications found in the HAB-MH category and HAI and PSY subcategories, but less in the SRM subcategory, while more wild animal (WA) publications in the SRM subcategory, and more working/sport animal (WS) publications in the TKSI subcategory than expected with independent variables (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Associations between the animal type and the publication primary category (a) and subcategory (b). Colored cases indicate frequencies that are statistically higher (red) or lower (blue) than the expected frequencies if the variables were independent. Primary Categories—PGE: Policy-Governance-economic; AHAS, Animal Health-Applied sciences; SEED, Societal-Economic-Environmental Dimensions; HAB-MH, Human Animal Bond and Mental health. Subcategories—LFE, Legal Framework and Economy; EP, Education-Philosophy; AM, Animal Management; HAD, Human Animal Diseases; TKSI, Traditional Knowledge-Societal Impacts; SRM, Sustainable Resource Management; HAI, Human Animal Interaction; Psy, Psychology. Animal Types—PA, Production Animals; WA, Wild Animals; WS, Working and Sport Animals; CA, Companion Animals; GE, General.

The number of citations was significantly impacted by the animal types (χ2 = 20.60, df = 4, p = 0.0004) with significantly more citations for PA species (Figure 4). The country (χ2 = 27.08, df = 21, p = 0.168), and subcategory (χ2 = 6.46, df = 4, p = 0.487) did not significantly impact the citation number.

Figure 4.

Number of citations of a publication depending on the species of interest. CA: Companion Animals; Ge: General; PA: Production Animals; WA: Wild Animals; WS: Working and Sport Animals. Different letters denote a significant difference in citation number (Wald-chisquare test with Bonferroni correction).

4. Discussion

The concept of One Welfare, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental well-being, has gained significant attention in recent years (14). However, the current bibliometric analysis identified only 111 publications addressing this paradigm over an 11-year period (2013–2024), suggesting it remains a nascent yet evolving field. Specifically, only 18 publications were produced during the first six-year period (2013–2018), whereas many publications emerged in the second period (2019–2024). One possible explanation for this marked increase is the publication of the One Welfare framework by García Pinillos (14), which may have heightened scientific interest in this area. In addition, more publications originated from English-speaking countries, with the highest number from the UK, followed by the USA and Australia. A similar trend was reported in a previous study on publication patterns in the field of animal welfare, which also identified the UK, Australia, and the USA as the leading contributors (15). One possible explanation for this pattern is that these countries—especially the UK—have a long and well-established tradition in animal welfare study and research (16). Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic may have also contributed to the surge in publications by highlighting critical gaps in zoonotic risk mitigation, human–animal–environment interactions, and socio-environmental resilience, thereby encouraging further research in these fields (17). Parallel drivers, such as escalating climate crises and global sustainability imperatives, may further explain this trajectory (18, 19).

The Applied Human-Animal Science (AHAS) primary category, with its Animal Management (AM) subcategory, emerged as the most prevalent themes across the analyzed literature. This trend was mostly evident during the Second Time Period (STP), reflecting the growing interest and importance of this themes in both academic and practical contexts (20–22). The AM subcategory, which includes publications related to animal welfare and husbandry, represents a growing subject, with publication output specifically addressing animal welfare showing an increase of 10–15% annually (23–25). Moreover, within AM, production animals (PA) emerged as a central research focus, ranking as the third most prevalent animal type across the overall selected literature. This trend was further highlighted by the association between the number of citations and animal type, with production animals receiving the highest number of citations. In general, livestock farming is critical for food security and employment, particularly in developing countries where it supports a broader societal and cultural aim then merely food production (20, 26, 27). The economic significance of production animals coupled with the sector’s rapid growth, and its global intensification, highlights the need for stakeholders to prioritize animal welfare improvements in relation to human welfare (28). In fact, studies have consistently shown that good animal husbandry practices not only enhance animal welfare but also contribute to the well-being of human communities relying on livestock (27, 29–32). Furthermore, within the Applied Human-Animal Science (AHAS) primary category, the Human-Animal Diseases (HAD) subcategory - while not among the most prevalent topics in the analysis - revealed crucial human-animal health interconnections. For example, relevant publications highlighted (1) the importance of biosecurity, specifically in relation to COVID19 pandemic (33), and (2) risks associated with carcass disposal and zoonotic transmission in intensive production systems (33). These findings underline the importance of integrating human, animal, and environmental health into policy and practice, as advocated by the One Welfare framework (33).

Companion animals (CA) emerged as the second most represented animal group in the current analysis, highlighting their sustained importance within the welfare discourse, and reflecting their integral role in human lives, both as family members, and as a critical component of animal-assisted interventions (34–38). In addition, CA were most frequently associated with the Human–Animal Bond–Mental Health (HAB–MH) primary category and its Human–Animal Interaction (HAI) subcategory, both of which exhibited a significant increase during the second time period considered, ranking as the second most prevalent themes in the overall literature. A prominent theme within the Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) subcategory involved companion animal management during emergencies. Research demonstrates that while owners directly influence their pets’ welfare, systemic factors often lie beyond individual control (39–41). For example, the recent COVID19 pandemic particularly elucidates this challenge, revealing critical gaps in emergency planning for companion animals (41). In addition, corresponding studies also highlighted effective community-based solutions, including low-cost veterinary services, mobile clinics, and foster programs to support the owners and their pets during the moments of crises (42–44).

Furthermore, companion animals-related items were also the most represented animal species within the Psychology (PSY) subcategory recognizing the great influence that pets exercise on human social dynamics (45), improving mental health, and supporting therapeutic interventions in diverse health care contexts, from hospitals and nursing homes to rehabilitation facilities (36, 37, 46). Numerous studies demonstrated how animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) improve human well-being by reducing anxiety and depression, especially during crises (47, 48). A key theme in the PSY subcategory involves the well-documented association between animal abuse and interpersonal violence, reinforcing the connection between human and animal welfare (39, 49). While less explored, similar mental health connections emerged in production animal contexts, particularly regarding (1) psychological challenges among livestock workers, and (2) correlations between animal and human abuse in agricultural settings (10, 50, 51). Despite being highly represented in the literature analysis, companion animal studies were among the least cited animal types. This could be because, although companion animal research is frequently published due to its accessibility and societal relevance, it might have received less attention as a result of its fragmented and niche topics, and lower policy relevance (23).

The General (GE) animal category—which includes publications not focused on a specific animal type or those generalized to all animal groups—was the most represented animal category across all items, in both time periods considered, and the second most cited among the animal types. This result might reflect a predominant research focus on policy development, economic implications, and conceptual alignment of One Welfare with broader global discussions about human-animal-environment interconnectedness (7). In fact, these publications frequently emphasized integrating One Welfare with One Health and One Biology frameworks to advance interdisciplinary collaborations (5, 16, 19, 52–55). Furthermore, while GE-related publications remained predominant in the current analysis, the second period (2019–2024) saw the emergence of studies focusing on specific animal types. Precisely, working/sport animals (WS) and wild animals (WA) - entirely absent during the first period (2013–2018) - emerged as a new research focus during the 2019–2024 time period. Specifically, for WS, this shift could reflect the growing recognition of this animal class’s critical roles in supporting rural and indigenous communities (56–58). This is further evidenced by the strong association between WS and the Traditional Knowledge and Societal Impacts (TKSI) subcategory, which falls under the Societal, Economic, and Environmental Dimensions (SEED) primary category, the least represented among the selected literature. For example, emerging research highlighted the vital socioeconomic contributions specifically of working animals, particularly in marginalized communities (59), revealing that (1) working animals serve as crucial income sources, especially for women who are often primary caretakers, (2) women frequently lack access to veterinary care and welfare education for working animals (horses, mules, donkeys), and (3) despite their importance, working animals remain overlooked in livestock policies, leaving them vulnerable to low welfare standards (59, 60). Their overlooked status is further reflected in their position as the least cited animal type within the literature analyzed. Addressing this gap requires targeted policy interventions and recognition of the gendered dimensions of animal care.

Similarly, although still less prominent compared to other animal-related themes, publications focused on wild animals also emerged in the second time period, and were predominantly associated with the Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) subcategory. The growing interest in wild animals in the literature was also evident from the fact that they were the third most cited among the animal types. Research addressing climate change impacts on ecosystem services, biodiversity, and sustainable production systems—central to the SRM subcategory within the Societal, Economic, and Environmental Dimensions (SEED) primary category—demonstrated modest growth during this period. However, studies related to SRM, as well as those focusing on wild animals, remained underrepresented even in the 2019–2024 time period. These studies highlighted critical issues such as the impacts of habitat loss, climate change, and human activities on wild animal populations (61–67). They also discussed the limitations of traditional conservation approaches, which often prioritize short-term benefits at the expense of long-term sustainability (64). Moreover, papers within the SRM subcategory emphasized the urgent need for holistic strategies to address interconnected challenges such as climate change, food security, and human health (68). For instance, the impact of climate change on livestock production—including aspects such as nutrition, housing, and welfare—was noted as a significant threat to productivity and economic stability (69). Sustainable agricultural models that integrate ecological solutions were proposed as key to mitigating these effects and promoting resilience, particularly among small-scale farmers (70). Several SRM-related publications were also closely linked to the Legal Framework and Economy (LFE) subcategory, underlining the importance of robust environmental welfare policies in supporting both animal and human well-being (1, 68, 70).

The primary category Policy, Governance, and Economy (PGE) was the second most represented theme within the selected literature during the first time period and the third most represented during the second time period, with the Legal Framework and Economy (LFE) subcategory serving as the dominant thematic focus. The LFE theme focused on the broader ethical, economic, and legal implications of animal welfare (4, 5, 9, 27, 71–73). For example, while animal welfare science has the potential to shape global discussions on sustainability and food security, it still remains underrepresented in major international legal and sustainability frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (75). Initiatives like the proposed United Nations Convention on Animal Health and Protection (UNCAHP) seek to address this gap by advocating for the establishment of global animal welfare standards (74, 75). Additionally, European Union agencies have adopted several conventions and regulations that establish specific welfare requirements for animals within the livestock industry (73). Therefore, the integration of animal welfare considerations into sustainability frameworks would not only enhance their overall effectiveness, but also better reflect the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being (4).

As previously mentioned, the Education and Philosophy (EP) subcategory was significantly underrepresented in the reviewed literature, during both time periods considered, with only a few studies addressing the importance of enhancing knowledge about One Welfare (76–79). Currently, veterinary and animal sciences curricula disproportionately focus on animals, limiting professionals’ ability to address the broader impacts of animal care on human well-being and environmental sustainability (77). For instance, One Welfare practices have shown how “the well-being of both animals and owners are intertwined,” emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach (76). By expanding the veterinary and animal science curriculum to include a stronger emphasis on human and environmental sectors, future professionals will be better equipped to apply the One Welfare approach in practical, real-world scenarios (78). This shift is vital to ensure they can address complex challenges that require a holistic perspective, fostering a deeper integration of animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental health (4). Moreover, it would also be beneficial to integrate One Welfare principles into broader university curricula beyond veterinary medicine—such as public health, environmental sciences, and social sciences, thereby fostering a truly interdisciplinary understanding of One Welfare and its applications across different professional fields.

5. Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis of One Welfare publications from 2013 to 2024 reveals a growing acknowledgment of the interdependence among animal, human, and environmental well-being, as framed by the One Welfare concept (19). Interest in this paradigm increased during the second time period considered, which also encompassed the pandemic period. This upward trend in publications may reflect a growing recognition of the urgent need for holistic approaches to manage zoonotic risks, strengthen human-animal relationships, and address broader socio-environmental challenges (17). Yet, with only 111 publications identified over 11 years, One Welfare remains an emerging field demanding increased attention and interdisciplinary collaborations. AHAS and AM-related themes dominate the literature (23, 24), particularly studies focused on production animals (PA) due to their role in food security and economic resilience, especially in low-income regions (20, 26, 29, 31). Human-animal interaction (HAI) research has also gained increased attention, especially concerning companion animals (CA) and their role in supporting mental health during crises (11, 37, 46). However, critical gaps persist. Research on wild animals (WA), climate change, and sustainable resource management (SRM) remains limited (56, 61). Likewise, working animals (WS), essential to the livelihoods of marginalized groups, particularly women, are underrepresented in policy discourse (59, 60). Moreover, the integration of animal welfare into global frameworks like the SDGs remains insufficient (6, 75). Education is another undervalued domain, necessitating the inclusion of One Welfare principles in veterinary curricula (76, 78).

While the reviewed literature demonstrated a continuous grow of interest in the One Welfare field, there is still a clear need for more comprehensive research, policy development, and educational initiatives to bridge existing gaps. By fostering collaboration across animal sciences, social sciences, and environmental disciplines, the One Welfare approach can serve as a transformative framework to promote the interconnected well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems (4, 18, 67).

Funding Statement

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. The project was funded by the 武汉市知识创新 专项项目 (Wuhan Science and Technology Bureau Special Project), under project number 2022022101015012.

Author contributions

SP: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. SN: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. AS: Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing – review & editing. XM: Writing – review & editing. DT: Writing – review & editing.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Correction note

27 August 2025 This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the scientific content of the article.

01 September 2025 This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the scientific content of the article.

Generative AI statement

The authors declare that no Gen AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.

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Supplementary material

The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1627981/full#supplementary-material